Out of the mouths of babes

A Cube of Sugar: The Secret World of Arietty

May I borrow a sugar cube? A tissue? I doubt you’ll miss the straight pin I found on the floor.

It’s amazing how life goes full circle. In college, I interned for a wonderful company which promoted box-office films and I would give up sleeping in on weekend mornings to staff children’s movies. Fast forward, more than a decades later, this company is now extending invitations for me to bring my child to these screenings.

On Saturday morning, I left my sleeping husband and son in bed and slipped off to catch the advance showing of “The Secret World of Arrietty.”

Arrietty (Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. — (C) Disney

“The Secret World of Arrietty” is a sweet and charming little film about little people which will make the largest impact on those with a longer attention span and an eye for beauty. The animation is phenomenal and I marveled at the attention to detail. Any girl would give their right arm for a doll house similar the one in the movie.